RICHARD BLAKE CREATES GREAT BARRINGTON’ S W. E. B. DU BOIS MONUMENT
Soon, on any given morning in Great Barrington, sunlight will catch a bronze figure seated on a curved marble bench framing the steps of Mason Library. His posture is dignified yet approachable; his extended hand an invitation to sit beside history. This is W. E. B. Du Bois as envisioned by sculptor Richard Blake, whose own career has been increasingly defined by rendering America’ s civil rights pioneers in enduring bronze.
Sculptor Richard Blake in his studio working on the W. E. B. Du Bois monument.( Richard Blake)
A Homecoming
RICHARD BLAKE CREATES GREAT BARRINGTON’ S W. E. B. DU BOIS MONUMENT
B y S c o t t E d w a r d A n d e r s o n
Soon, on any given morning in Great Barrington, sunlight will catch a bronze figure seated on a curved marble bench framing the steps of Mason Library. His posture is dignified yet approachable; his extended hand an invitation to sit beside history. This is W. E. B. Du Bois as envisioned by sculptor Richard Blake, whose own career has been increasingly defined by rendering America’ s civil rights pioneers in enduring bronze.
The installation of Blake’ s life-size statue will take place on Saturday, July 19, as part of a weekend that proposes to be an important one for Du Bois scholars and devotees. In addition to the installation, there will be a talk by the sculptor at Chesterwood on Friday and a panel discussion on Sunday.
For Blake, recipient of the National Sculpture Society’ s Medal of Honor in 2023, creating a monument to one of Great Barrington’ s most famous sons was an artistic challenge and a profound responsibility. His sculpture does more than commemorate; it reconciles a town with a legacy once overlooked, capturing Du Bois with the“ political presence” of an Abraham Lincoln, while honoring his full humanity.
Du Bois’ family had roots in the area going back generations, and
100 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE August July 2025 2025